Be Safe in the Sun!.

It’s the time of year when many of us take advantage of the longer days to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, or perhaps fly off to enjoy a holiday in the sun. Our bodies need and benefit from Vitamin D from sunlight, to keep our bones and immune systems healthy and it’s hard to deny the feeling of wellbeing that comes from sporting a healthy-looking tan.

Looks can be deceiving however, and that golden glow can be far from healthy! Although some exposure to sunlight is essential to maintain the Vitamin D levels in our bodies, a cautious approach as to how much time we spend outside, without protecting our skin, should be taken. According to Cancer Research UK, approximately 90% of melanoma skin cancers are caused by sun exposure (including the use of tanning equipment), with too much ultraviolet light in sunlight damaging the DNA in skin cells causing the growth and spread of abnormal cells, and destruction of healthy tissue.

The British Skin Foundation estimates that there are approximately 100,000 new diagnoses of skin cancer annually, and what is more alarming is that more than 2,500 of these will prove fatal!

What is skin cancer?

Macmillan Cancer Support explains there are two main types of skin cancer, non-melanoma and melanoma. Non-melanoma cancers (which are less likely to spread), such as squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are noted to typically be the result of long-term sun exposure, whilst the potentially more dangerous melanoma skin cancers are often caused by shorter periods of exposure to very strong sunshine, (as might be encountered on your annual hot holiday).

There are certain factors which we know will increase your risk of developing skin cancer, and it is perhaps unsurprising that you are at increased risk if you have a pale complexion, fair hair and lighter coloured eyes, although do note that all skin types can develop skin cancer. The risk is also heightened for those with outdoor occupations and for those who have health conditions which leave them immuno-compromised, or those who have a family history of skin cancer.

What are we looking out for?

The British Skin Foundation advise checking our skin about once a month for moles or marks that are changing or new, as melanoma cancers often present as new marks on the skin. You should also keep an eye on any existing moles and get any checked by your GP that have changed in size or shape or if they become crusty, itchy or bleed.

Other symptoms to be aware of are scabs which are reluctant to heal, scaly patches of skin and flesh-coloured lumps which grow or appear to have a rim around them. Macmillan Cancer Support advise that melanomas are often characterised by an uneven or irregular shape, are often more than one colour, may be indicated by changes to an existing mole and are typically more than 6mm, wide.

If you are concerned about the appearance of a new mark or changes to an existing mole or mark on your skin, do get your GP to check it out, as early detection of melanoma is key to successful treatment at a stage when the cancer has not spread to other parts of your body.

Prevention is better than cure!

Even in our temperate climate, it is easy to underestimate the strength of the sun and overlook the damage this may be causing us. How often have you heard someone make the sheepish understatement “Oh yes, got a bit burnt on holiday”, when in fact their skin is red raw and so burnt it has blistered!

The following points are all we need to remember when out in the sun, both here and abroad:

Use clothing as a barrier to harmful UV rays

• Use sun cream with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) liberally and re-apply regularly
• Wear a hat (preferably with a wide brim)
• Wear sunglasses with UV filters
• Stay out of the sun during the hottest hours of the day
• Sit in the shade at least some of the time

It is all just common sense really, so please look after your skin and enjoy the sun safely!

Contact us

Here at Lanyon Bowdler, we are familiar with the devastating consequences a delay in diagnosis, or misdiagnosis, of skin cancer can have and are experienced in handling cases concerning such scenarios. If you have reason to believe there have been avoidable delays in obtaining your diagnosis, or if you consider you were misdiagnosed, please do get in touch via our contact page.